Friday, September 30, 2016


Salesforce.com's Benioff, Wife, Give $20M To USC For Cancer Research
Salesforce.com founder and CEO Marc Benioff, and his wife, Lynne, have given $20M in a gift to the University of Southern California, to go towards cancer research, the school said late Thursday. According to the school, the funding will go towards construction of the Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine of USC. As part of the deal, the lobby of the new cancer institute will be named in honor of Benioff's late father, Russell Benioff. Benioff has been a member of USC's Board (More info...)
posted on Friday, September 30, 2016(Full story)

Disney's Maker Studios Launches Fan Video Contest Around Star Wars
Disney is harnessing Maker Studios to power a new, fan video contest, which will go to promote Disney's new "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" product line. According to Disney, it is asking creators to post their own videos around the new movie, in its #GoRogue video contest. In an embrace of the rise of fan fiction, Disney said that fans can upload their short video stories or skits "set in a galaxy far, far away", which will be judged by a panel--including Rogue One: A Star Wars Story director Ga (More info...)
posted on Friday, September 30, 2016(Full story)

Sonos, West Elm Team On Retail Presence
Santa Barbara-based whole home audio system developer Sonos is making it possible for more people to experience it whole home sound systems in person, with a new deal with home furnishings chain West Elm, the two said on Thursday. According to the two, they will be placing immersive, listening experiences at West Elm locations nationwide, featuring Sonos speakers and equipment. West Elm is owned by Williams Sonoma. According to the two, "select" West Elm locations nationwide will include dedicat (More info...)
posted on Friday, September 30, 2016(Full story)

Report: Qualcomm Eyes NXP Semiconductor
San Diego-based Qualcomm is in talks to acquire fellow semiconductor developer NXP Semiconductor, in a deal worth more than $30 billion, according to a report on Thursday. No details on the merger were announced by Qualcomm, however, the WSJ said a deal could be expected in the next two or three months. NXP is based in the Netherlands. It's unclear if the rumors of a merger might have been leaked to spur additional interest in NXP by other possible bidders for the company, aside from Qualcomm.
posted on Friday, September 30, 2016(Full story)

Kite Pharma Names VP
Santa Monica-based Kite Pharma, which is developing treatments for cancer, said late Thursday that it has named Christine Cassiano as Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications and Investor Relations. Cassiano was previously at W2O Group, and was co-founder of ARC2 Communications and Media, in addition to serving at Hill + Knowlton Strategies, Amgen, Allergan and Abraxis BioScience. Kite Pharma has product candidates aimed at treating hematological (blood-based) and solid cancers.
posted on Friday, September 30, 2016(Full story)